Craig Wetstein, a name many might not know but should. One of the Key pistolsmiths behind the vaunted Pachmayr Combat Special. Craig worked under Tom Dornaus until Tom left to start the Bren 10 project, Craig became the main-man at Pachmayr’s very busy pistolsmithing shop. From Craig:

“I came to work for Tom Dornaus in 1976 at Pachmayr Gun Works.

Tom taught me everything about working on 1911's.

He was an excellent teacher and a great guy.

When he left Pachmayr to develop the Bren ten, I was left in charge of the .45 shop.

I built on his teachings and developed my own style which I carried over eventually to my own shop in 1980.  (The Auto Shop, Culver City CA, closed in 1986)”

I asked Craig today So you built Ross Seyfreid’s Combat Specials? He replied, “Yes and Chapman's and Cooper's and Hackathorn's and Askin's and others I can't remember. I think Seyfried's was a pair.”

I consider Craig one of the most influential builders of the late 70s-1980s, you can see the care inside this pistol, mirror polished everything inside, the hammer face, guide rod, springs etc, Craig’s guns stand out, and above much of the work being done in those days. The tools, and patch displayed in the pictures, came to me from Craig himself when I reached out and got to know him he offered me his toolbox and I gladly paid the man, the tools and Culver City patch not included with the gun. But that punch marked this frame, that checkering file and Plunger tube tool were all there, in Culver City, with this gun all those years ago, I had to share them together now.

This pistol is build on a 1983 LW Commander, from the top, Matted slide top and rear, MMC sights, French Border, welded up and refit, Micro Match barrel bushing. Frame to slide refit. Pachmayr Beavertail beautifully sculpted and fit. Modified Commander hammer, Smoothed and radiused trigger face. Sharp 20 LPI front and rear, generous magwell bevel, topped with Those signature Pachmayr grips. Gun comes with one Chromed mag, the bluing over hardchrome on the gun are nice, with some holster wear you would expect on a 40+ year old carry gun. I must say, I will regret letting this one go, but I am going to hold out hope that I will find a 5” Wetstein for my collection, as that is my preference.

Email with any questions: kgbcustoms@gmail.com

$5500 Shipped